Iarnród Éireann News Release….Thursday 21st May 2015

Iarnród Éireann to launch new non-stop Cork to Dublin Express on Monday

New 06.15hrs non-stop service will have journey time of 2 hours 15 minutes

Iarnród Éireann is to introduce a new non-stop express service daily (Monday to Friday) at 06.15hrs from Cork’s Kent Station to Dublin Heuston, with a journey time of 2 hours 15 minutes. The new service is being introduced following the approval of the National Transport Authority.

The new express service follows customer research, with a particular demand identified for a faster morning service arriving in Dublin at 08.30hrs, to facilitate business meeting needs, and is in addition to existing services.

Gerry Culligan, Commercial Director of Iarnród Éireann, announced the introduction of the new service to a special Cork Chamber of Commerce Networking on the Move train yesterday evening. He said “Departing at 06.15hrs, and with a journey time of 2 hours 15 minutes, it will get people into Heuston for 08.30hrs, which customers identified to us as a key arrival time for business needs. This will be the only non-stop service of its type on our national network, and will enable customers to maximise the benefits of travelling with Iarnród Éireann – allowing productive use of time and offering free wifi, charge points for phones at every seat – while giving our best journey time. We intend for this to be the beginning of a series of continuing journey time improvements, including network upgrades to deliver further speed enhancements on all our services, to ensure the train is the most competitive option for you and your business needs.”

The Cork-Dublin route is Iarnród Éireann’s flagship Intercity route, with 2.84 million journeys on the route in 2014, an increase of over 4% on 2013, with growth continuing this year.

Earlier this year, Iarnród Éireann began a programme of line improvement works on the Dublin to Cork line, focusing this year on the section between Hazelhatch and Portlaoise.

The initial investment in 2015 of €10 million in line improvements will lead to higher reliability, smoother running of trains and with other works deliver consistent 160kph speeds (100 mph) by the end of 2016 on this section. This will deliver further journey time improvements for customers.

The works involve improving the track substructure, by the removal and replacement of degraded crushed stone ballast which supports the railway track structure. In addition track drainage and track geometry will be improved.

The company’s ultimate goal is to continue line improvement works over a number of years subject to funding availability, to reduce the Cork to Dublin journey time to 2 hours or less. A spokesperson said “investment in improving line speeds further provide a better service to customers, will strengthen our competitive position, and meet national transport policy goals of encouraging greater use of public transport with the associated economic benefits for the country. With modern trains and quality on board facilities, improved speeds will grow our passenger business even further, on top of encouraging growth over the last two years.”

As part of the introduction of the new 06.15hrs Cork to Dublin Express service, the following changes will also be implemented, following the approval of the National Transport Authority:

– 06.00hrs Cork to Dublin Heuston (Mon-Sat) will now depart at 05.55hrs, and operate 5 to 10 minutes earlier throughout.

– 04.55hrs Tralee to Mallow (Mon only) will now depart at 04.50hrs, and operate 5 to 8 minutes earlier throughout.

– 05.15hrs Westport to Dublin Heuston will now depart at 05.25hrs, and operate 6 to 10 minutes later throughout.

– 08.09hrs Newbridge to Dublin Heuston will now depart at 08.11hrs, and operate 2 minutes later throughout.

– 06.55hrs Athlone to Dublin Heuston (Sat only) will now depart at 07.05hrs and operate between 6 and 10 minutes later throughout.

Iarnród Éireann picture Cork Kent Station 1980

Bloom, Ireland’s largest gardening, food and family event, will take place in the Phoenix Park Dublin over the June Bank Holiday weekend for 5 days (from Thursday 28th May – Monday 1st June 2014).

There will be a free shuttle bus departing from Parkgate Street, beside Heuston Station and will take you straight to Bloom in the Phoenix Park (and back again).

Bloom 2015 has something for everyone, like cookery and craft demonstrations, free gardening advice from the experts, Irish food produce, live entertainment and gardening workshops. Also, children up to 16 go free and up to 3 children may attend with each paying adult.

Competition Time

Thanks to our friends in Bloom, we have 3 pairs of tickets to be won along with complimentary return rail travel.

An essential part of your preparation will be arriving refreshed and relaxed, ready to take part. So take the train and be one step ahead of the rest.

Special Group Rates

We have special rates for groups of 7 or more travelling to the marathon. All you have to do is simply call 1850 366 222 (Monday to Friday 08.30hrs to 18.00 hrs) or email grouptravel@irishrail.ie and mention ‘Mini Marathon’ to receive your quote and special group rate.